Breaking silence: Makueni’s GBV survivors demand justice beyond promises
Well-resourced GBV courts key to serving justice.
What you need to know:
- The stories reveal a troubling reality, survivors often go through not only violence but neglect, stigma and unfulfilled promises.
- Makueni Deputy Governor Mulili emphasised the need for urgent reforms in handling GBV cases, advocating deadlines for cases in court to ensure timely justice.
Makueni County is grappling with the devastating effects of gender-based violence, leaving victims with life-altering scars as they seek justice.
Chilling statistics and heart-breaking personal accounts highlight the urgent need for action. According to Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, over the past year, 290 women have endured gender-based violence (GBV), 81 men have been affected, and over 400 girls have fallen victim to early pregnancies resulting from sexual violence.
In December 2017, Reuben Mutyanzaa, the husband of Judith Muendi, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Makindu Law Courts for his macabre attack on her. During Reuben’s sentencing, Principal Magistrate G.M. Mutiso delivered a scathing judgment that captured the horror of Judith’s ordeal.
“The violence meted out by you, the accused, upon a helpless woman in cold blood is mind-boggling. You cut off your lover's left hand. You cut off her right hand. You cut off her right leg. She is now unable to walk,” the magistrate faulted him. “She is unable to work. All because this young woman wanted to end your love affair with her after discovering that you had another wife.”
The magistrate stated that the victim was a young woman full of vibrancy. “She used to provide for herself and for you because she was hardworking. She is now crippled and handicapped,” the magistrate said. “Now she depends on others to wipe her face. She depends on others to go to the toilet. She depends on others to cook. She depends on others to climb to bed. She depends on others to feed and provide for her three young children—all because of you.”
With that, he pronounced his judgment: "The accused is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment, for he has destroyed the life of a young woman. In addition, under Section 26 of the Victim Protection Act, I order that the accused's motorcycle be confiscated and given to the victim for her transport and personal use. I also order that the accused must foot the victim's medical treatment expenses, up to Sh7 million. The accused's property shall be attached as if this were a civil debt.”
Despite this landmark decision, five years later, Judith is still waiting for these orders to be implemented. The compensation she was promised has never been fulfilled, and the property attachment ordered by the court remains unexecuted.
“They sentenced him to life, but what about me? I’m the one left to suffer. The court said I should get support, but I’ve never seen it,” she lamented.
Judith’s plight is emblematic of the systemic failures that haunt GBV survivors.
Another victim, Purity Muthoki, shared her own story. Once a hardworking mother of two, Purity lost both arms in an attack by her husband, who was later lynched by a mob. Without legal recourse or meaningful support, Purity remains in abject poverty.
“I work so hard to keep my children fed and in school, but every day is a struggle. My life changed in an instant, and no one has helped us recover.”
The story of Julius Mbithi, a former chef in Mtito Andei, exposes a rarely discussed GBV dimension: violence against men. At 26, Julius narrowly survived an arson attempt by his wife, which he says stemmed from financial disputes.
Julius revealed that his wife secretly took out a loan of Sh100,000 from a microfinance institution without informing him. Fearing discovery, she sold all the goats on their farm to repay part of the loan.
When he confronted her about the missing livestock, an argument ensued, resulting in an unplanned arson. The attack left Julius with both physical and emotional scars, but the cultural stigma surrounding male survivors kept him silent for years. “Society doesn’t expect men to be victims. If you speak out, they see you as weak. For a long time, I stayed silent because I thought no one would believe me.”
Now 52, Julius has become an anti-GBV champion in Makueni, using his voice to support male survivors. In his role, he raises awareness of GBV, encourages men to speak out, and challenges harmful stereotypes about masculinity. “No one should suffer in silence. Gender-based violence affects everyone—men, women, and children. It’s time we break the silence,” he urged.
Deputy Governor Mulili emphasised the need for urgent reforms in handling GBV cases, advocating deadlines for cases in court to ensure timely justice. “Justice delayed is justice denied. We cannot allow survivors to wait years for resolutions. The county is working to ensure awareness of GBV continues, especially in sub-counties along the Northern Corridor where cases are rampant. Economic struggles and family wrangles are major contributors to GBV, but we urge those affected to come out and report cases," she said.
The stories of Judith, Purity, and Julius reveal a troubling reality, survivors often go through not only violence but neglect, stigma and unfulfilled promises. While Makueni has taken steps to raise awareness, survivors need more than just words—they need action.
As a society, we must demand accountability, reform the justice system, and ensure all survivors, regardless of gender, receive the support they deserve. It is time to break the cycle of silence, stigma, and inaction. Survivors like the three remind us that behind every statistic is a human being who deserves justice, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their life. Promises are not enough—it’s time for action.
